The 2023 NFL season is officially over. It is draft season! The Detroit Lions had a successful season, making it the NFC Championship Game. While they lost in heartbreaking fashion, Detroit finally proved they belong in the NFL’s elite circle. Dan Campbell‘s team will be eager to return to the playoffs and have another shot at the Super Bowl. Another strong draft will help them fill the holes in this very talented team. Here is the Detroit Lions 2024 NFL Draft Guide
Detroit Lions 2024 NFL Draft Picks
The Detroit Lions have only seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Round 1: No. 29 overall
- Round 2: No. 61 overall
- Round 3: No. 73 overall (from Minnesota)
- Round 3: No. 92 overall
- Round 5: No. 162 overall
- Round 6: No. 206 overall
- Round 7: No. 246 overall
Their extra pick comes from the T.J. Hockenson trade from 2022, when they sent him to the Vikings. Having four picks in the top 100 is a good thing, but currently, they lack day three picks.
Detroit Lions NFL Draft Needs
The Detroit Lions need the following positions: CB, EDGE, DL, WR, S
It isn’t a shock they need help on defense. Cornerback was an issue all season. Cam Sutton played okay but didn’t have the impact the team hoped for when they signed him in free agency. Aidan Hutchinson was a menace this season. He is slowly becoming one of the premier edge rushers in the league. He needs help. Detroit needs to bolster the defensive line to get more pressure on the quarterback.
The Detroit Lions also feel like they are a receiver short. The combination of David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta creates a devastating offense, but having another receiver would help. Josh Reynolds had some huge drops in their last game. If they can get another sure-handed receiver, it would fill a small need on the offense.
Mock Draft
Mock drafts are done on NFL Mock Draft Database. No trades were executed. Obviously, teams tend to wheel and deal, but this is meant to give a look at what the team can do with the draft capital they currently have.
Detroit Lions Mock Draft
- Round 1: No. 29 overall: Brian Thomas Jr. WR, LSU
- Round 2: No. 61 overall: Michael Hall Jr. DL, Ohio State
- Round 3: No. 73 overall: Max Melton CB, Rutgers
- Round 3: No. 92 overall: D.J. James CB, Auburn
- Round 5: No. 162 overall: Nelson Ceaser EDGE, Houston
- Round 6: No. 206 overall: Jordan Jefferson DL, LSU
- Round 7: No. 246 overall: Grayson Murphy EDGE, UCLA
Mock Draft Analysis
While defense is the area of huge need, Thomas Jr. being there in the first round was too good to pass up. The argument is to improve what you already do well. The Detroit Lions can move the ball. Thomas Jr. immediately becomes a great second option behind St. Brown. If Jameson Williams continues to improve, those three could be a problem next season.
The rest of the draft was defense. I have the Detroit Lions double-dipping at cornerback in the third round with Melton and James. The issue the Lions are going to have is getting top-tier talent at the end of the first round. For many of the teams, at the end of the first round, it can be challenging to find top players at the position. This is why I had to wait until the fifth round to grab an EDGE.
Can Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions nail the draft again? If this young team continues to improve and the front office can fill some holes, this team should be back in the Super Bowl conversation in 2024.
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